UI Design
Designing beautiful and modern GTK applications requires a consistent and user-friendly approach. Fortunately, there are well-established guidelines and design resources that can help you create apps that integrate seamlessly with the GNOME ecosystem.
GNOME Human Interface Guidelines (HIG)¶
The GNOME Human Interface Guidelines (HIG) are the primary source of design documentation for developers building software with GTK and the GNOME platform. These guidelines are useful for:
- App designers & developers looking to create intuitive and accessible interfaces.
- Understanding GNOME UX and how to build apps that feel native on Linux.
What’s Inside the HIG?¶
- Design Principles – Core rules and goals for GNOME app design.
- Resources – Tools and assets to assist in GNOME UI design.
- Guidelines – Standard UI/UX conventions, including icons, typography, and input handling.
- Patterns – UI elements such as windows, buttons, notifications, and navigation.
- Reference – Standard keyboard shortcuts and UI color recommendations.
Following these guidelines ensures that your GTK apps are modern, accessible, and visually cohesive with the GNOME desktop.
Adwaita Design Kit for Figma¶
If you’re using Figma for UI/UX design, check out this high-quality Adwaita Design Kit:
This kit includes:
- Pre-designed GTK 4 UI components based on Libadwaita.
- Reusable design patterns that follow GNOME HIG.
- A structured design system to prototype GTK apps efficiently.
Using this kit makes it easier to create professional-looking GTK applications while staying consistent with GNOME’s design language.